The First Compact: The Karus Saga (The Karus Saga: Book Book 3)

by Marc Alan Edelheit

  Silence settled between them. Karus decided to break it and ease Dennig’s troubles a little.

  “I accept your offer,” Karus said. “We will be waiting in Carthum for you. We can move west together, and if it comes to a fight, I will be there at your side.”

  “Thank you,” Dennig said, sounding immensely relieved.

  “No need to thank me, my friend. An alliance”—Karus paused and glanced over at Kol’Cara—“or really a coalition of races, will, I fear, become only too apparent in the months ahead. Your Thane will surely see that.”

  Dennig gazed at the elf for several heartbeats as he ran a hand through his beard and then turned his gaze back to Karus. “I pray it is so, for my eyes have been opened.”

  “When will you march?” Karus asked. “After all they’ve endured, I bet your boys are pretty spent.”

  “Spent or not,” Dennig said, “we must go. I can’t afford to have the enemy catch up with us and complete the destruction of the warband. As soon as we hitch the teska teams to the wagons and load our supplies, along with what we can easily grab from this camp and our wounded, we will march. I want to be on the road before evening or just after dusk. And I intend to march straight through the night. If I have any say about it, I will be in Carthum in four days’ time.”

  “Right,” Karus said. “We will be waiting for you. You have my word on that.”

  Dennig glanced behind him at the dwarven formation up the road. It was clear he wanted to get to work. Karus followed his gaze. The officer was speaking to his warriors, undoubtedly giving instruction.

  “I freed some human prisoners,” Karus said. “They are people from my world. I told them they could take a couple of teska and some supply back to their band. With any luck, they will join us in Carthum.”

  “More people from your world?” There was a flicker of surprise in Dennig’s tired and weary gaze. “I had not considered that possibility.”

  “Neither had I, and if what they tell me is true, they are skilled warriors. I would appreciate if yours do not hinder them.”

  “I will see that they are allowed to go unbothered,” Dennig said. “Now, if you will excuse me, the next few hours will be very busy. I have a lot to see to. Until we meet again … my friend.”

  “Until then,” Karus said. “Stay safe.”

  “You too, Karus.” The dwarf turned on his heel and started back the way he’d come, toward the dwarven formation, which had fallen out. Dennig’s escort followed after him.

  “You did not tell him about the gnomes,” Kol’Cara said, once Dennig was out of earshot.

  “No, I did not,” Karus said.

  “Why?”

  “I didn’t think it the appropriate time. He needs us and we need him. There is no need to complicate things until they need to be complicated.”

  “I like that,” Kol’Cara said, suddenly amused. “‘There is no need to complicate things until they need to be complicated.’ That’s almost elven in nature. Quite witty, actually.”

  Karus suppressed a scowl. “Well, there’s nothing keeping us here now. I’ve been gone from Carthum long enough. Let’s get back to the dragons and be off.”

  Chapter Five

  Karus, wake up.

  In his mind, Cyln’Phax’s voice was loud, insistent, impossible to ignore. He opened his eyes and looked around, blinking away the sleep. They were still flying; the wind was rushing against him, whistling through his helmet. The suns were out and the air warm, though the wind made it slightly chilly. Wrapped up comfortably in his cloak, he had dozed off.

  “What is it?” he called into the wind.

  We’re landing, Cyln’Phax said and banked sharply to the left. Karus’s stomach did an uncomfortable flip as the dragon dropped downward. Caught by surprise, he braced himself, hanging onto the dragon’s nearest spike. Ahead of them and below, Kordem was already in a wide lazy spiral, dumping altitude as the dragon descended rapidly toward the ground.

  “Why?” Karus shouted.

  Amarra asked him to land, Cyln’Phax said, sounding none too happy. Really … she insisted, said it was important we land near the hill below, the one with the ruins.

  Karus glanced downward. They were flying over what looked like a series of small rolling hills, really grasslands, with a scattering of isolated wooded areas.

  He could see no cultivated fields or buildings, except what appeared to be a ruined stone castle sitting on a lone hilltop a few hundred feet below. It wasn’t a large castle, but he was sure at one time it had been an imposing edifice and had likely commanded the land for miles around. Karus wondered what had happened to the people who had once lived in this land. As he looked around, farther out, he saw the occasional ruin, but no towns, villages, or cities.

  Cyln’Phax continued to swing around as she followed Kordem in a downward spiral that brought the ground closer by the moment. The castle was abruptly lost from view. Karus glanced over at the others on the dragon’s back.

  Just as he was, they were holding on tightly to the nearest spike. The elves seemed to be enjoying the experience, with several grinning and one outright laughing. Karus, on the other hand, had had enough flying to last him a lifetime. He was a soldier and was convinced his feet belonged planted firmly on the ground.

  A heartbeat later, Cyln’Phax flared out her wings and the dragon landed, almost smoothly, with hardly a bump. She folded her wings back and settled down to the ground.

  Glancing around, Karus saw that they had landed at the base of the hill. A small wooded area was to their left about twenty yards distant. It was more a stand of trees than anything else. The hill with the ruined castle was not that tall, perhaps only three hundred feet in height and rounded, with an easy sloping grade up to the summit.

  The elves were already feverishly working at the knots to the straps that held them in place. Unfastening his cloak from about him, Karus began to undo his own ties. The knots came away quickly. By the time he was free, the elves were already climbing down the dragon’s sides to the ground. He followed after them and, using the armored scales for handholds, Karus began working his way down.

  Kordem had landed about forty yards away. Amarra was climbing off the dragon’s back. Tal’Thor and Si’Cara were already moving away from the dragon, as were the four other elves from Kol’Cara’s bunch that had ridden with them. Karus noted they had their bows up, with arrows held at the ready, their heads swiveling as they scanned the area for potential threats. Below, Kol’Cara and the other elves were doing the same.

  “Safeed ta,” Kol’Cara snapped and pointed at the wooded area. Two elves began jogging away toward it.

  “Is there some danger about?” Karus asked as his sandals touched the ground. His hand strayed to the sword, coming to rest on the pommel. The tingle of energy from the sword ran through him, in an almost comforting manner. Any aches and pains or stiffness he’d had from hours of flying vanished in a heartbeat.

  Not that I can tell, Cyln’Phax said, bringing her head around to look. The elves seem a little paranoid.

  “Being paranoid,” Kol’Cara said to the dragon, “keeps one alive. Until we know otherwise, we shall assume there are enemies about.”

  That is quite delicious advice, Cyln’Phax said, snaking her head toward the elf and snapping her jaws loudly. Can I eat him now, Karus? Please? It’s been days since I’ve had a snack.

  “I think you’d choke on me, dragon,” Kol’Cara said with a grin.

  You might be right, elf, Cyln’Phax said sullenly. I might just choke on your bony frame.

  The wind took that moment to blow. It wasn’t a strong gust, but it pushed the heat back a little. It brought with it a smell Karus knew only too well. He gazed toward the ruined castle, for the gust had come from that direction, blowing down the hill.

  “Death,” Karus breathed. “Death has followed us here.”

  Kol’Cara had smelled it as well. The elf’s eyes were on the ruins above, scanning what little could be seen. Her nos
trils flaring, Cyln’Phax lifted her head toward the ruins and let loose what could only be described as a low growl.

  “Am I the only one,” Karus said, looking between them, “who thinks this reminds me of the Fortress of Radiance?”

  Kol’Cara shot him a hard look. Karus gave the elf a shrug and decided to find out why they had stopped. He started over for Amarra. Behind him, Kol’Cara snapped a series of orders in Elven to the five other elves. Each went in a different direction. Karus recognized that Kol’Cara was establishing a perimeter around the two dragons. With death on the wind, he did not see cause to question it.

  Moving through the knee-high grass, Amarra had started over toward him. Si’Cara and Tal’Thor walked with her. They met halfway between the two dragons. Amarra had discarded her cloak and carried only her crystal staff, the bottom of which she rested in the grass as she stopped before him. In the daylight, the staff was glowing almost brilliantly, something it did not do very often. That in and of itself was an ominous sign.

  “Karus,” Amarra breathed. She looked excited and pointed up at the castle. “We must go up there.”

  Karus was silent for a long moment, his gaze traveling up the hill to the ruins at the top. For the most part, the top of the hill looked overgrown, wild even.

  “I was afraid you were going to say that,” Karus said. “Why must we go up there?”

  “I don’t know,” Amarra admitted.

  “What do you mean, you don’t know?” Karus asked, a feeling of deep unease settling over him. It was not a good answer, at least not the one he was looking for. “Something recently died up that hill. You can smell it on the wind and I very much doubt it was an animal.”

  Amarra switched her staff from her right hand to her left and touched her chest. “The pull is very strong. The High Father is telling me to go up there. Even now, it is almost a torment to stand here speaking with you, delaying. There is something very important up there and all I want to do is start climbing that hill. It is almost like he is telling me to hurry … before it is too late.”

  Karus suddenly felt intensely frustrated. Too late for what? According to the dragons, they were only a few hours of flying time from Carthum. He wanted to get back to his legion and yet here they were. The High Father, it seemed, had different plans for them.

  “We must go,” Amarra insisted.

  Kol’Cara joined them. Karus scratched at an itch on the side of his neck and turned to the elf. “You sent two of your boys into the wood over there to check it out, right?”

  “I did,” Kol’Cara said. “They should report back shortly.”

  “As soon as they return,” Karus said, turning back to Amarra, “we will go up to the ruins.”

  “Thank you,” Amarra said, with evident relief.

  “Why?” Kol’Cara asked. “What is up there?”

  “We don’t know,” Karus said, “but Amarra feels it is important we find out.”

  “Perhaps it makes sense to scout the hill first,” Tal’Thor suggested.

  “We could go and look around, mistress,” Si’Cara said, “make sure it is safe before you and Karus make the climb.”

  “I agree,” Kol’Cara said.

  “No,” Amarra said, firmly. “Karus and I must go. And we must not delay. That much I know.”

  “Alone?” Karus asked, suppressing a frown. “I don’t think that is a very good idea.”

  Amarra closed her eyes, clearly searching within, where Karus understood she found her direct connection to the High Father. She opened them after a few heartbeats and sucked in a deep breath. “It is important that you and I go together. Why, I do not know … but it just feels right. I sense nothing about the others coming or not coming. There is no direction there.”

  “Then we all go,” Karus said, “just as soon as the scouts return.”

  “If the High Father wills it so,” Kol’Cara said, “then that is how it shall be done.”

  Karus drew Amarra away a short distance.

  “I do not like this,” Karus said to her, lowering his voice, “not one bit. We’re to go up there and we don’t know what we are walking into.”

  “Neither do I,” Amarra admitted, “but it is as he wills it. We must have faith.”

  “Faith,” Karus breathed. “I have faith, especially after we both were visited by the High Father back in Carthum. I just want to be back to my legion. I’ve been away far too long as it is.”

  “Yes,” Amarra said, “but we will be back soon, tonight even. This is important. We must believe it will all work out.”

  “Faith again,” Karus said and glanced once more toward the hill. “This all comes back to faith, doesn’t it?”

  She leaned forward and planted a kiss upon his cheek. “I love you.”

  “I know,” Karus said. “It was a very lucky day when my men pulled you out of that dungeon.”

  “Yes,” Amarra said, “you are a very lucky man.”

  Karus saw both scouts emerge from the wooded area and come jogging back. He had a stab of intense resentment at their appearance, for it had ruined the moment with Amarra. Reluctantly, he broke apart from her and they moved back over to Kol’Cara, where the scouts had begun to report.

  “In Common please,” Karus said, “so that Amarra and I may follow.”

  “My apologies, sword-bearer,” the elf said. He was shorter than the other elves by about a foot but was just as fair and youthful-looking as the rest. His hair was black and had been tied into a short braid.

  “Call me Karus, and I would know your name.” It was past time he got to know Kol’Cara’s boys.

  “Aven’Terol,” the elf said and then grinned, as if amused. “As you request, I shall call you Karus, sword-bearer.”

  “And you?” Karus said to the other scout.

  “Havren’Fen, at your service, sword-bearer.” Havren’Fen had sandy blond hair that had been pulled back into a ponytail. He had a thin, horizontal scar almost dead center on his chin, maiming his features slightly.

  “Now,” Kol’Cara said, “report.”

  “The wood is clear,” Aven’Terol said, “however, we found goblin tracks.”

  Amarra sucked in a startled breath.

  “Goblins?” Karus asked. “What are they?”

  “They’re pests,” Amarra said, “that live in the underground spaces. Once an infestation is discovered, goblins must be eradicated, for they breed rapidly.”

  “Pests, like bugs?” Karus asked.

  “What are,” Amarra asked, struggling over the unfamiliar word, “bugs?”

  “Small winged pests,” Karus said. “Others crawl on the ground and are small, tiny even, usually with many legs.”

  Amarra still seemed to be confused.

  Kol’Cara, however, clearly understood what Karus meant. He shook his head. “I like that word better than the Common version. There are no bugs, as you call them, on Aragavorn.”

  It was Karus’s turn to be confused. “Aragavorn?”

  “This continent.” Kol’Cara pointed to the ground at their feet. “The lands around us. Across the Barrier Ocean is another continent, named Solestra. There are bugs there, but not here.”

  “Ever since we arrived on this world, I’ve been wondering on that,” Karus said. “Why there and not here?”

  “Long ago, before we elves came to this world, there was a wizard who detested bugs,” Kol’Cara said. “At least that’s what I’ve been told. He cast a web across this land, and for the most part, smaller bugs and other minor pests disappeared. Even though the wizard has long since died, they never came back.”

  “Well, isn’t that handy,” Karus said, marveling at such power and wondering if the story was true. “There were times when I wished I could banish pests as easily, and rats too.” Karus paused as a thought occurred to him. “You said smaller bugs?”

  “I did,” Kol’Cara said. “The larger ones were never affected. Some of them are quite dangerous, lethal even, and they have many legs.”


  Karus recalled the thick webs he’d seen in the Fortress of Radiance and suppressed a shudder. He hoped he never met what had spun them.

  “Back to the goblins,” Karus said, returning to the matter at hand and shooting a glance up at the ruins. “Tell me about them. I take it they are dangerous?”

  “They are thinking beings that are quite dangerous,” Kol’Cara said, “but not overly bright. They are tribal in nature and live primarily underground, usually only coming to the surface at night.”

  “They’re pests,” Amarra said, with clear disgust, “stealing food and occasionally killing or raiding.”

  “They have also been known to fight with the Horde,” Kol’Cara said, “usually grudgingly.”

  “Great,” Karus said and turned his attention to the hill, gesturing at the ruins. “And they’re likely up there, right?”

  “The tracks lead up the hill,” Havren’Fen said.

  Karus glanced up at the sky. It was nearly midday, with one of the suns almost directly overhead. “You said these things only come out at night?”

  “Not quite. They prefer the darkness,” Kol’Cara said, “but they have been known to venture out during daylight hours.”

  “That’s what I thought,” Karus said and, feeling sour, turned his gaze back to the ruined castle. What was waiting for them? At times, it seemed to him this world was filled only with horror after horror and death.

  “Goblins, like orcs, see better at night and in near darkness,” Si’Cara added. “Their vision is not so good during the day, especially when the sun is bright.”

  “We must hurry,” Amarra said. “I feel the pull to do so. The High Father wants us up that hill.”